In a key bantamweight battle at UFC 238, Aljamain Sterling came out on top over the dangerous Pedro Munhoz.

With all eyes on the main event at UFC 238, it was easy to overlook the match-up between Aljamain Sterling and Pedro Munhoz. The two bantamweights throw down off of outstanding wins for both over Jimmie Rivera and Cody Garbrandt, respectively. The winner of this fight was on a fast track for a title shot against the winner of UFC 238’s main event between Marlon Moraes and Henry Cejudo.

Round 1

Sterling comes out with pressure throwing kick after kick. Munhoz is right at home in the hot seat. He stalked down Sterling. Catching him with a couple hooks, Sterling earned more of the respect of Pedro Munhoz. Sterling puts down his hands and begs Munhoz to shoot. Munhoz doesn’t bite. Aljamain Sterling’s head movement is phenomenal in the opening round. Mid way through the first round Sterling’s jab has Munhoz frustrated with Pedro throwing wild shots. Pedro marches forward and Sterling continues to out-strike him at every step. Munhoz catches Sterling with a head kick in the last ten seconds.

Round: 10-9 Aljamain Sterling

Round 2

Round 2 starts off with more kicks. Muhoz brings the pressure and Sterling continues with the striking clinic. Sterling shoots and fails the takedown for the third time. Sterling was hurt to the body and he took a little more passive approach in the second minute of the round. Sterling looks slower this round. Sterling continues to use his length to beat Pedro to the punch. In the third minute, Sterling has Pedro stunned a little but Pedro is a tank. Munhoz works the body more and Sterling shudders. Sterling falls and Munhoz goes for the guillotine and Sterling gets out quickly. Sterling swaps stance as Pedro keeps working the legs. The end of the second, Pedro’s stamina looks slightly better than Sterling’s but still has trouble with the length.

Round: 10-9 Aljamain Sterling

Round 3

Sterling looks to keep the distance with the teep in the beginning of round three. The pressure of Pedro Munhoz is suffocating. Sterling continues to pot shot Pedro under the pressure. Head movement looks great still. He’s throwing spinning back elbows and other awkward shots. Pedro throws a huge head kick and Aljamain ducks it. Sterling is less flashy as he was in the first round. Pedro’s cardio still out-pacing Sterling but he still has trouble with his range. The last minute, Munhoz continues to work the hurt leg of Sterling trying to finish. Sterling shoots and misses another takedown. Sterling’s boxing is working over Munhoz. The leg kicks continue on both sides.

Round: 10-9 Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling takes the unanimous decision with a 30-27 score on all cards. Sterling says he was happy to bring the exciting fight and calls out either Henry Cejudo or Marlon Moraes.